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Long time Germany international and until recently captain, Bastian Schweinsteiger today announced that he is retiring from international duty for his nation after playing over 12 years for the senior national team.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was part of Germany’s golden generation which included Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and others, who at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil had their crowning moment by lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Schweinsteiger turns 32 next Monday, August 1 and has been plagued by injury problems in recent years, which has allowed him to play only a few matches for his club sides though still performing for Germany at the international level. That impressive career is now over.
In an emotional personal message, Bastian Schweinsteiger sad goodbye to Die Mannschaft and the fans!
Dear Germany fans,
I have asked the national team coach to not consider me for Germany selection in future, as I would like to step down from the national team. I would like to thank the fans, the team, the DFB, the coaches and the national team’s backroom staff.
I was able to play 120 matches for my country and experience many indescribably brilliant and successful moments. Jogi Löw knew how much the 2016 European Championship in France meant to me, because I wanted to bring the title that we hadn’t won since 1996 back to Germany.
It wasn’t to be and I have to accept that. We managed an emotional and historical success when we won the World Cup in 2014 and it is something that I won’t be able to do again in my career. That is why it is right and sensible to bring it to an end and wish the team all the best in qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
Despite stepping down from the national team, I hope that I will be able to have a connection with it in one way or another, as it has been like a family to me.
I would like to conclude with a message to the fans: “It was an honour to play for you, thank you for everything that we have been able to experience together!”
Yours,
Bastian Schweinsteiger.
